The Magnificent Lizzie Brown and the Mysterious Phantom by Vicki Lockwood Page A

ring,” Nora boasted.
    â€œCan you spit, Lizzie?” Erin asked.
    Lizzie grinned. “I could knock a fly outta the air if I wanted.” She left Nora and Erin exchanging impressed glances as she hurried after Mario. He was beckoning from beside the camels as they leaned down and munched hay from the pile he’d scattered at their feet.
    â€œThis is Sultan.” Mario scratched the thick pelt of one of the camels. “And this is his partner Sabira.”
    Sabira lifted her head and blinked.
    â€œLook at her eyelashes! They’re so long.” Lizzie pointed at the drooping hump. “And what’s that for?”
    â€œTo store water in.” Mario patted Sultan. “For long treks across the desert.” He winked. “D’you want to see something better?”
    â€œBetter than camels?” Lizzie followed Mario out of the pen and past the show tent. Beyond the ropes, she could see the King of the Jungle’s cage. A golden pelt stretched on a carpet of straw. “Is that Leo?” She raced to the pen and peered through the bars.
    The lion lifted his wide head and shook out his mane.
    â€œYou’ve heard about him, then?” Mario crouched down beside her and stuck his fingers through the bars.
    â€œSo it’s true he’s old and got no teeth!” Lizzie said. The big cat was so handsome. “Poor ol’ thing.”
    â€œHe’s had a good life,” Mario assured her. “Been with Fitzy since he was a cub. Lost his teeth from too much cotton candy.”
    Leo leaned forward and licked Mario’s fingers with a massive tongue.
    â€œHe’s a pussycat!” Lizzie giggled.
    Erin and Nora caught them up. “Are you still scared of Leo?” Nora teased.
    Leo stretched out and flexed his claws. They were like butcher’s hooks.
    â€œI wouldn’t get in a cage with him.” Lizzie gazed at Leo. “Who does?”
    â€œFitzy,” Erin crouched beside her. “He’s Fitzy’s act. He has Leo jumping through hoops every show. The crowd loves it. Leo acts all fierce, and then Fitzy acts fiercer.”
    â€œIt’s just a big game for them both,” Nora said with a grin. “They’re old friends.”
    â€œCome on.” Erin jumped to her feet. “Let’s leave Leo in peace and watch Dru practice.”
    â€œLord, yes!” Lizzie hadn’t seen the high wire act yet. She chased after Erin, tugging Nora by the hand. “Thanks, Mario!” she called over her shoulder.
    They girls ducked into the show tent, where the smell of sawdust and canvas filled Lizzie’s nose. She hadn’t seen the show yet — she’d been too busy helping the performers — but she’d peeked inside the red-and-black striped tent on her way to fetch pegs for Mario yesterday. This was the first time she’d been inside, though.
    Malachy was sitting on the brightly painted ledge that surrounded the wide stretch of sawdust. Clowns jumped and tumbled in the middle. Lizzie laughed as one pulled the hat of another down over his face. Water shot out of the top.
    â€œLook!” Erin pointed at the roof.
    Lizzie craned her neck and saw Dru waving from a platform high up on a fat tent pole. Arms stretched out, he stepped out onto a wire strung across the ring and walked across.
    Lizzie swallowed. “What if he falls?”
    â€œHe’ll die.” A voice said from behind her, and Lizzie swung around. The girl in spangled tights she’d seen yesterday with the penny-farthing bicycle was standing behind them. It was Dru’s sister, Collette.
    Lizzie searched Collette’s face. It was gaudy with makeup and pretty as a doll’s. But no worry showed in her round blue eyes. Doesn’t she love her brother? thought Lizzie.
    Malachy leaned forward on his cane. “No one’s ever died at Fitzy’s circus,” he told Lizzie. “And Pop says Dru can have a safety net if he